In 2021, we saw the situation of Covid 19 from getting better to worse and then back to normal again. 

In the first quarter of the year, Sightsavers India performed 9,9000 sight restoration surgeries which was even better than the first quarter of 2020 (before the pandemic). 

Sightsavers’ Urban Eye Health Programme in Bihar was felicitated with ICC Social Impact Award from Indian Chamber of Commerce in the Large Project Category. Sightsavers has promoted and demonstrated an approach of integrating eye health within urban public health systems in Patna for ease of access to eye health service by the socio-economically marginalised sections of the 2.4 million urban population. This is a lasting change created by strengthening existing health systems in a cost-effective and scalable manner, advocating with and influencing governments thus resulting in and scale-up within State and at National level. 

Sightsavers successfully ran an International Women’s Day #ChooseToChallenge campaign digitally, including stories from the field and of our women staff on breaking gender stereotypes.

In the second quarter of the year, we were hit with the deadly second wave of Covid-19 in India. We went through months of lockdown during which almost all of us faced losses be it personal or professional. The second wave destroyed our optimism and positivity and there was a lingering sense of hopelessness. 

However, in a couple of months we witnessed a steady decline in Covid-19 cases. Once the lockdown was uplifted, following the safety protocols, our Vision Centres resumed their eye care services in various districts of our core states. With ease on the pandemic situation, the organisation’s work was steadier and swifter in the second half of the year.

As part of its Social Inclusion Programme, Sightsavers India initiated a campaign on ‘Vaccine Equity for people with Disabilities’ in its eight operational states which are Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. It has been witnessed that the situation of availability of vaccine has improved considerably and the hesitation among disabled people for taking COVID vaccine has reduced a great deal.

Several developments took place far under this initiative. To start with the campaign, Sightsavers developed and disseminated accessible Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material in local languages including tribal dialects among OPD groups (Organisations of Persons with Disabilities) and networks to spread the need of vaccination and the rights and privileges being provided by the government in this process. As far as the government was concerned, circulars, advisories were issued from state and district level authorities for taking special steps to include people with disabilities in the vaccination drive as priority groups. Taking the initiative to the project locations, meetings with Organisations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) were organised to orient them on the campaign and encourage them to get engaged in this initiative.

Behaviour change communication collaterals including a film was created for the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Bengali, Hindi and Odia languages. Our Honorary Brand Ambassador, Mr Kabir Bedi lent his powerful voice in support of the campaign. The Bengali collaterals were also utilised by Sightsavers team in Bangladesh. The campaign also received attention in the media. 

Sightsavers received ‘Letter of Appreciation’ by Government of Madhya Pradesh for reaching out to more than 5000 persons with disabilities with active participation of the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Madhya Pradesh during COVID-19 Crisis. 

We successfully launched Sightsavers India Fellowship Program for the year 2021. Sightsavers India Fellowship is a promising career opportunity for ophthalmologists. It aims to take selected fellows through an exciting journey of 24 months. The fellows experience a structured skill enhancement and mentoring process covering not only clinical and surgical ophthalmology but also managerial and holistic life skills. After a rapid four-month training on SICS, the fellows are placed in the peripheral centers of one of the 8 states – Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. The process involves skills up-gradation components and personal interactions with eminent leaders in eye care and development sector.

We hope to continue our work towards eliminating avoidable blindness and help bring about equality of persons with disabilities in every corner of the country.